Knee High by the 4th of July
webmaster
Bethany Celebration does not disappoint
Great turnout despite record heat and humidity
•June 25, 2025•
This year’s “Bethany Celebration” on Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st offered something for everyone of all ages. On Friday, after Opening Ceremonies, there was a “Touch a Truck” event, “Kids Craft Corner”, a Sullivan Dance Studio Showcase, and “Tot Rod Pulls”. Later, the Battle Creek Band entertained on the main stage, and the “Brushville Band” entertained in the beer tent.
Read MoreSullivan Splash Pad reopens
Many people, especially children, have been wondering when the Splash Pad at Wyman Park would reopen this summer. To everyone’s delight, it reopened on Friday the 20th, to the delight of many. This summer, the Splash Pad will be operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The splash pad will only be open on weekends during these hours, so plan your visit accordingly.
Afternoon storms hit some harder than others
The June 18th thunderstorm that descended on Sullivan, with wind speeds of up to 65 MPH, caused more than just a few small, fallen branches and debris or tipped trash cans, as reflected by this photo of a local Sullivan residence.
Mobile DMV at ETML
•June 25, 2025•
Last Friday, on June 20th, the State of Illinois’ “Mobile DMV” drew in a crowd at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, meeting the needs of locals with everything from driver’s license renewals to road tests. Nearly every chair was filled, but the mobile DMV team met every challenge with humor and grace. The overall atmosphere was one of humor, and there’s something to be learned from listening to neighbors catching up. Overheard by a patron, “I am so glad I don’t have to go all the way to Mattoon for this. That takes up half of my day!”
Read MoreRemembering Who We Are…..64
New Perspectives
•June 25, 2025•
by Janet Roney
Travel leads to new perspectives, they say. It causes travelers to drop their prejudices and see the world around them with a new perspective. Our family hike along the old Charleston Road in the summer of 1982 did that for us, but not in ways I had expected. Our hike did not transform our children into eager students of local history, as I had hoped.
Read MoreObituaries 6-25-2025: Jacqueline McCausland
Jacqueline Dee “Jackie” McCausland, 64, of Bethany, passed away 7:21 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at her home with her family by her side.
Read MoreObituaries 6-25-2025: Morris Luck
Morris D. Luck, 87, of Bethany, passed away at 3:00 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Celebration of Life services were held Monday, June 23, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Adam McReynolds officiating. Burial was in the Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials are suggested to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Bethany. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Read MoreObituaries 6-25-2025: Gerald Elzy
Gerald Dean Elzy, 92, of Sullivan, joined his beloved wife in Heaven at 1:45 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2025.
Memorial graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Read MoreObituaries 6-25-2025: Daniel Bathe
Daniel Leslie Bathe, 70, of Sullivan, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at his home.
Services will be held at a later date. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Read More